HDMI protection ICs support 4K Ultra-HD data rates

20th January 2015

Nat Bowers

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Designed for maximum performance up to today’s fastest 4K Ultra-HD data rates, a series of single-chip HDMI signal-conditioning and protection ICs have been released by STMicroelectronics. The HDMI2C1 series provides active pull-ups on all display data channel lines, maintaining Ultra-HD signal integrity and minimising dependence on HDMI cable quality.

Allowing an bandwidth of 10GHz to pass high-speed 4K signals without distortion, the series integrates ESD protection. The HDMI2C1 series also integrates a 5V LDO regulator with short-circuit and over-temperature protection, as well as level shifters for the HDMI DDC, CEC and HPD lines with back-drive protection.

A 10V low clamping voltage and a 30ns fast response time prevent unwanted transients causing damage to HDMI which have been manufactured in ESD-sensitive deep-nanometre process technologies.

Compared to discrete protection components, the HDMI2C1 devices can save up to 80% PCB space and accelerate time-to-market. This is particularly important for fast-moving consumer products such as Ultra-HD set-top boxes and Blu-ray players. Optimised pin assignments enable the HDMI protection ICs to be used with economical single- or two-layer boards.

Four variants are available, HDMI2C1-14HD, HDMI2C1-14HDS, HDMI2C2-14HD and HDMI2C1-6C1 (which enhances design flexibility by being suited for use with external ESD protection or common-mode filtering on HDMI data lines).

Available in QFN-36L or µQFN-18L packages, pricing for the series starts from $0.50 in 100 unit quantities.